What Size Urn Should I Get?

What size urn do I need?

The amount of ashes, or "cremated remains", that each urn holds is measured in cubic inches. The industry standard calculation is approximately 1 pound of healthy weight to 1 cubic inch of cremains; that is, a 180lb person will require roughly 180 cubic inches capacity in an urn.

Most adult cremation urns will hold 200 cubic inches at a minimum, and some hold more. For example, the Renaissance Cremation Urn, pictured here, holds 210 cubic inches of remains. We list the volume capacity in cubic inches that the urn will hold in the product description for each of our products.

For a larger individual, the measurements can be a little tricky. The ashes you receive are the bone matter that remains after the cremation process. This means that regardless of a person's actual weight, the cremains should be around the same amount as the average person of the same height.

Here are some handy charts to help you figure weight (and thus cubic inches needed) based on height.

Of course, there are variations in bone density and structure, so for a larger individual, it is wise to err on the side of more cubic inches. Often, families will choose a companion urn, which usually hold 400 cubic inches. You can also browse our urns tagged "large capacity", which hold more than the standard 200 cubic inch volume.

Companion urns

Some couples choose a companion urn as a way to signify their inseparability. These urns typically will hold 400 or more cubic inches, and can often be made with or without separate compartments inside. If a divider is chosen, then both sides will be roughly 200 cubic inches. Again, be sure to see the dimensions on each product page, and use the same calculations as above to determine if the urn will be suitable.

Keepsake urns

Keepsake urns vary widely in size; some hold as little as 1 cubic inch of cremains, while others hold up to 100 cubic inches. Choose your keepsake urn carefully depending on its inteded usage. If you would like to divide the cremains among several relatives, it is usually best to get several 50+ cubic inch keepsake urns.

What if I'm still unsure?

If you're still not sure how to figure out what type of funeral urn you need, or if a particular urn will be suitable, please contact us and we'll be happy to assist you. Our toll-free number is 877-900-5309. Keep in mind that quite a few of our urns can be customized to suit your needs!

Infographic

Maybe you're the visual type and an infographic is the best way to help you picture it. Try this: